CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chamber of Secrets Chapter 17: The Heir of Slytherin

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 189256


> Questions:
> 
> The first two questions are based on this quote:
> 
> "I suppose the real reason Ginny Weasley is like this, is because she opened her
> heart and spilled all her secrets to an invisible stranger."
> 
> 
> 
> 1. How is the magical diary in CoS like a modern Muggle device that young
> (and not so young) use? Do you think this was intended as a warning?

Potioncat:
As I read the account in CoS--the whole process of communicating with the diary seemed exactly like IM-img or E-mail. No Limburger has suggested that this book was written before that sort of computer activity was common. I don't know. But does anyone think that a young reader now might see a simalarity between the two?
> 
> 2. How does Riddle's comment fit with the theme of secret keeping we see throughout the Harry Potter series?

Potioncat:
It's been a common thread at this site about the dangers of keeping information secret. Lots of characters keep things too close. I think this is the one time we see the danger of spilling secrets.  Certainly there is a danger in both extremes.
> 
> 3. Riddle says he grew stronger on the diet of deepest fears and darkest
> secrets. What dark creature does this recall? Is this also the nature of a
> Horcrux? Did the locket in DH do the same thing?

Potioncat:
Several comments were made about Dementors, and I'd have to review the canon. But I always had the feeling that Dementors brought out the fears and dark thoughts because that's what they lived on--not that they wanted the happy thoughts--the more miserable a person was, the better Dementors liked it.
> 
> 4. How did Ginny hide her feather-covered, paint-splattered robes? Did
> House Elves clean them without telling anyone?

Potioncat:
I recall this being the topic of a thread in the past; one I didn't particularly follow. So when I read about Ginny's concerns about her robes this time, the question just popped up.

Lots of good answers--which gave me more ideas. House Elves are loyal ot their masters, and whether or not the students are masters, it may be the House Elf nature not to rat them out. Also, their sense of logic and reasoning is very different from humans, and it may not have even crossed their minds to connect Ginny's stained robes with the events in the castle. And, I'd have to agree--House Elves probably saw lots of robes stained with disgusting ingredients and these may not have stood out at all.
> 
> 5. When the Basilisk appears, Fawkes flew off Harry's shoulder. Harry
> wanted to cry, "Don't leave me!" Compare this to Harry's experience in DH when
> he goes to face Voldemort in the forest.

Potioncat:
Not really must to compare. The similarity between between the two events just jumped out at me. The difference is really between a young hero and the more seasoned hero. It's to be noted that while Harry wanted to call out to Fawkes, he didn't.
> 
> 6. Several times Riddle's expression is described as "hungry." Young
> Severus's expression was described the same way in DH. What do you make of this?

Potioncat:
Much was made of young Severus's hungry looks. Many of us saw this a needy while others gave it a more sinister slant. Riddle is most certainly hungry for power and dark deeds.
>